England worry over John Terry injury

England manager Roy Hodgson faces a nervous wait to discover whether John Terry will be fit for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine after the Chelsea defender played through the pain barrier in the 5-0 rout of Moldova.

Terry, 31, suffered an ankle injury in the first half at Zimbru Stadium and then aggravated the problem when he landed awkwardly after the break, but he initially refused Hodgson's offer to come off, as England had already used all three substitutes. He finally went off in the closing moments, but Hodgson admits Terry's earlier determination to keep playing could force him out of England's second qualifier at Wembley this week.

"I'd liked to have taken him off, and we did suggest we could play with 10 men," Hodgson said. "He's a warrior though, so he pooh-poohed the suggestion he should come off with 20 minutes to go.

"He took a kick on the ankle in the first half and then twisted it slightly when he landed in front of the bench in the second half. It's obviously not a very serious injury, but every knock is important with only three days between games."

If Terry is unable to feature against Ukraine, Hodgson would most likely select Chelsea's Gary Cahill to partner Joleon Lescott in the heart of England's defence.

There was better news over captain Steven Gerrard, who came off at half-time as "a precaution" but should be available by Tuesday, while Hodgson also revealed that Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole has returned to training against missing Friday's game with an ankle injury.

Fitness bulletins aside, Hodgson was delighted to start on the road to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with an emphatic victory.